Smoothing or pressing irons and the like



Oct. 2, 195.6 J. F. COYNE 2,764,825

SMOOTHING OR PRESlSING IRONS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1954 IIS .3. 1

(/ohw ECO mu? United States Patent 2,764,825 SMOOTHING OR PRESSING IRONS AND THE LIKE John Francis Coyne, Malvern, Victoria, Australia, assignor to Hecla Electrics Proprietary Limited, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, a company of Victoria Application September 1, 1954, Serial No. 453,588 1 Claim. (Cl. 38-93) This invention relates to smoothing or pressing irons of the type which are adapted for movement relative to the fabric being pressed Whilst in contact with the surface thereof. More particularly, the invention concerns the ironing elements or soles of manual smoothing or pressing irons of the kind indicated irrespective of the manner in which the iron soles are heated or such relative movement is effected.

For effective ironing it is common knowledge that the fabric requires to be dampened sufliciently to form steam when the iron is moved thereover. This steam spreads through the fabric and escapes around the marginal edge of the iron. As it is necessary to keep ironing until the fabric is substantially dry, the operation is relatively slOW. Furthermore, as dampening is usually effected by sprinkling with water, this necessarily does not distribute the moisture evenly throughout the fabric. Usually, the dampened fabric is rolled up and stored for example, over night, in order to enable the moisture to spread throughout the fabric. Still another objection is that the iron sole tends to become sticky and opposes the desirable free-sliding movement of the iron over the fabric.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved smoothing or pressing iron of the kind indicated which enables ironing operations to be carried out more quickly and easily than hitherto in that a more even distribution of steam through the fabric is effected and the final escape of steam from the dampened fabric is facilitated.

Another object is to provide an improved smoothing or pressing iron which may be of relatively lighter weight than hitherto and is provided with a discontinuous ironing surface which is adapted to minimize friction and reduce the aforesaid objectionable tendency for the iron sole to become sticky.

The improved iron sole is of particularly simple and inexpensive design and construction and is capable of being readily incorporated in various types of irons if desired without necessitating other changes in their method of manufacture.

Referring to the drawings which form part of this specification:

Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of an iron sole of a manual smoothing iron in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section taken on the line II-II of the iron sole seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section of portion of an iron sole in accordance with a modification.

Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 showing another modified form of the iron sole.

According to the present invention the improved iron is fitted with a sole plate or like ironing element 2 which has a series of grooves or channels 3 formed in the lower surface thereof. The cross-sectional form, width and depth of these grooves may vary in accordance with requirements.

For example, grooves of substantially V section and having a width and depth from one thirty-second of an inch ($5 to one eighth of an inch /8) have proved to be satisfactory. However the grooves may as desired to increase their effective area.

The grooves 3 extend substantially lengthwise of the iron sole in substantially parallel laterally spaced forma tion so as to form a series of coaligned but separated ironing surfaces. In order to avoid the formation of undesirable tracks in the fabric being ironed, the grooves are curved lengthwise and arranged as in Figure 1 of the drawings in two oppositely curved groups in which each groove is of part-circular formation and with the common centre of curvature of each group located beyond the opposite sides of the iron sole on a line extending crosswise thereof and substantially midway in its length.

The spacing of the grooves may be approximately five eighths of an inch between adjacent grooves. 0bviously this distance may vary. For example it may be of the order of from one quarter of an inch (MW) to three quarters of an inch The majority of the grooves are continuous and openended in that they are extended through the marginal edge of the iron sole at the same side thereof.

In use, it will be appreciated that steam from the damp fabric trapped beneath the iron, is required to force its way through the fabric for a relatively short distance only before reaching one of the aforesaid open-ended continuous grooves or channels 3. Steam entering each groove is freed to expand and flow rapidly lengthwise of the groove over the top of the fabric before escaping through the open ends of the several channels.

The provision of these channels thus effects a far more rapid and even distribution of steam throughout the previously incompletely dampened fabric than hitherto. In addition, by facilitating the escape of steam, the ironing operation is completed more quickly. The wellknown feeling of drag or stickiness beneath the iron is materially reduced apparently due to the fact that the improved iron sole has a ventilated discontinuous surface.

Still another advantage is that the improved iron sole 2 may be lighter in Weight than usual with the result that the user is subjected to less fatigue.

It will be appreciated that it is not essential for all of the grooves to be open ended in that the toe and heel portions of the iron sole it may be desirable to employ relatively shorter grooves 3c the outer ends only of which may be open whilst the inner ends are closed.

It will be obvious that the disposition of the series of grooves or channels in the iron sole need not be restricted to the oppositely curved pattern above mentioned but that the grooves may be arranged in any suitable pattern as may be required.

Although it is necessary for the grooves to be appropriately spaced they need not be arranged in parallel formation but may even intersect if so desired.

Various other minor alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the foregoing without departing from the ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claim.

Having now described my invention, what I claim. as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A manually reciprocable smoothing or pressing iron comprising an iron sole plate having a series of grooves formed in the lower surface thereof and extending generally lengthwise of the iron sole, said grooves being arranged in two oppositely curved groups in each of which the grooves are in laterally spaced substantially concentric formation so as to form a series of coaligned separated flat ironing surfaces, the groups of grooves each including a plurality of side grooves and at least one toe groove, saiclside grooves being of open ended formation and extending through the marginal edge of the iron sole plate at the same side thereof, while the toe grooves are located at the toe end of the plate and are open at one end only and closed at the opposite end to form a discontinuous and ventilated ironing surface, the groups of grooves each having a common center of curvature located beyond the opposite sides of the iron sole on a line extending crosswise thereof and substantially midway the length of said side grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Maxcy et al. Aug. 29, 1871 Robinson Mar. 5, 1872 Hunter June 28, 1892 Prenzel May 17, 1932 Kuhn et al. Jan. 20, 1942 Swanson Jan. 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 20, 1896 Great Britain Jan. 3, 1947 

